Day 7

   Goodness they were sleepy last night! They both looked washed out when they each came on watch; Lini was falling asleep standing up and had to make a caffeine fix. Things my end were pretty steady, although the autohelm has a job steering a straight course in these seas and my poled out headsail snaps loudly after the wind backs it.

   After breakfast we took my genoa over to join my mainsail for a broad reach but almost immediately the wind backed forcing us to alter course. We plodded on for a while, still south of our waypoint track and then rolled the genoa away.

Si was net controller this morning and had a stressy time: First the sat. phone wouldn’t work when he tried to download a GRIB weather file, then the reception was very poor on the SSB. The VHF only transmits intermittently too.

   We celebrated our waypoint arrival at happy hour with G&Ts and canapés. Sure enough we are starting to pick up the tradewinds with it slowly veering. I’m sure if the butter wasn’t in the fridge it would be melting so it’s time to turn right. It’s certainly hot and humid down below!

Breakfast – Banana, melon, grapes + yoghurt – Cereals.

Lunch – Tomato and basil bruschetta + paté on toast.

Happy Hour – Cream cheese and smoked salmon canapés.

Dinner – Gammon, parsley sauce, new potatoes, green veg.